S. Peter's, exterior c. 19th century

Curator: This is Luigi Rossini's "S. Peter's, exterior." The print offers a detailed view of the Vatican. Editor: It feels so controlled. The sharp lines and ordered figures give a sense of established power. How do you think this image served its purpose? Curator: Rossini made many such prints. They were often bought by tourists, documenting the experience of travel and pilgrimage. The printmaking industry itself played a huge part in spreading these images far and wide. Editor: It's interesting to consider who had access to these images, right? For those who couldn't travel, this became their vision of the Vatican, shaped by the artist's choices and biases. Curator: Exactly. It provides insight into the social and economic contexts that allowed this imagery to flourish. Editor: It makes you think about the construction of identity. How do we grapple with these historical depictions in the present day? Curator: Precisely. It offers us a chance to analyze how power structures influenced artistic expression, and consumption. Editor: A fascinating window into a past that continues to influence our present.